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Narrator: TONIGHT ON "MOONSHINERS"...
TICKLE AND CHICO PLAY WITH FIRE...
HEY.
YOU HEAR THAT [BLEEP]
...JOSH AND BILL RISK A STING...
Bill: GOING OUT TO THIS SALE TODAY.
IT'S RISKY, BUT WE'RE GONNA DO IT ANYWAY.
Narrator: ...AND THE LAW GETS THE BIGGEST BREAK OF THE SEASON.
Chuck: FOUND A VIN NUMBER HERE ON THE DOORPOST --
RUN IT, SEE WHAT WE CAN COME UP WITH.
Man: THIS IS HOW WE MAKE THE MOONSHINE!
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
Narrator: ACROSS APPALACHIA, THE TEMPERATURE IS DROPPING
AND THE DAYS ARE GETTING SHORTER.
AND SOON, THESE MOUNTAINS WILL BE FILLED
WITH THE SOUNDS OF HUNTERS.
[ GUNSHOTS ]
THIS IS WHEN SHINERS START TO WRAP IT UP FOR THE YEAR
BECAUSE THE BACKWOODS ARE ABOUT TO GET CROWDED.
IN THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTH CAROLINA,
THREE SHINERS HAVE IGNITED A MOONSHINE WAR.
Jeff: WE'VE GOT A PRETTY GOOD VIEW OF HIM FROM UP HERE.
YEAH.
Narrator: MARK AND JEFF
ARE SENDING A MESSAGE TO THEIR COMPETITION --
GET OUT OF GRAHAM COUNTY.
[ GUNSHOT ]
GET OUT OF HERE. COME ON.
Jeff: I DON'T BELIEVE HE'LL BOOTLEG OUT OF THAT CAR NO MORE.
CAREFUL.
COME ON. COME ON.
WE NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE AS QUICK AS WE CAN.
THAT WAS A MIGHTY EXPLOSION THERE.
I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLES HEARD THAT
'CAUSE THOSE HOUSES AIN'T TOO FAR FROM IT.
WHAT DID YOU PUT IN THAT, LANCE?
IN A FIVE-GALLON BUCKET.
I MEAN, I NEVER FIGURED IT'D DO NOTHING LIKE THAT.
YEAH. THAT'S A LITTLE BIT TOO MUCH.
THAT'S, UH...
THAT BLOWED THAT CAR ALL TO PIECES.
IT MIGHT HAVE DISINTEGRATED.
WE WAS JUST GONNA DISABLE IT, BLOW THE DOORS OFF OF IT,
BUT LANCE WENT AND MIXED US A LITTLE HEAVY THERE.
YOU KNOW, HE WAS TRYING TO MUSCLE IN ON OUR TERRITORY,
SO WE KINDLY PUT HIM OUT OF BUSINESS.
YEAH, WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO KEEP A LOW PROFILE NOW,
LET'S LAY BACK AND LISTEN, SEE WHAT YOU HEAR.
WE GET CAUGHT MAKING MOONSHINE, THAT'S ONE THING.
BUT IF WE GET CAUGHT BLOWING SOMETHING UP,
THAT'S SOMETHING ELSE.
THAT'S A PRETTY BAD DEAL.
THEY'LL BE HUNTING WHO BLOWED THAT CAR UP.
I MEAN, HE MAY OR HE MAY NOT, YOU KNOW, CALL THE LAW.
Narrator: IN THE BACKWOODS OF KENTUCKY,
THREE SHINERS ARE RESURRECTING THE MOONSHINE OF A LEGEND.
Tickle: ALL RIGHT.
BOYS, LET'S ROLL.
Narrator: TICKLE, CHICO, AND TYLER
ARE FIRING UP TIM SMITH'S RECIPE.
IF IT WORKS, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO SELL IT
FOR A PREMIUM BACK IN VIRGINIA.
THAT SOUNDED LIKE MONEY POURING OUT OF THERE.
Tickle: IT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS.
WE'RE GONNA MAKE US A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY.
Narrator: CHICO'S PUT ALL HIS CHIPS ON THIS RUN...
WE'RE GONNA MAKE IT REAL QUICK.
...BECAUSE HE NO LONGER HAS A DAY JOB TO FALL BACK ON.
Tim: I DON'T NEED YOU NO MORE.
GET YOUR STUFF AND GET OUT.
Chico: I'VE LOST MY JOB.
I'M GONNA HAVE TO KICK IT INTO DOUBLE TIME
TO COME OUT OF WHAT I LOST.
I'M GONNA DO WHAT I GOT TO DO TO SUPPORT MY FAMILY.
THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS IS ME TAKING CARE OF MY WIFE,
TAKING CARE OF MY KIDS.
Tickle: ALL RIGHT. THERE WE GO.
NOW WHAT?
ONCE SHE SETS ON DOWN, EVERYTHING WILL LINE UP.
AH. THAT'LL DO IT, BOYS.
IT'S RUNNING.
Tickle: TELL YOU WHAT -- SHE'S HEATING UP NOW.
OH, YEAH.
GETTING WARM.
I THINK IT'S GONNA TURN OUT GOOD.
WE RUN IT RIGHT, IT SHOULD BE A REAL GOOD, SMOOTH LIQUOR.
THE MAIN THING IS WE WANT IT TO TASTE LIKE TIM'S.
TIM'S LIQUOR IS WHAT THE CUSTOMERS ARE WANTING RIGHT NOW.
HE CAN'T SELL IT IN VIRGINIA,
SO WE'RE GONNA GET IT THERE REGARDLESS.
OH, YEAH.
THIS RIGHT HERE IS THE WAY TO GO.
WE GOT A 100-GALLON POT. WE GOT A NICE THUMPER ON HERE.
A SOLID-COPPER THUMPER.
YEAH.
THAT STILL'S 100% COPPER
FROM FROM FRONT TO BACK, ALL THE WAY THROUGH.
Narrator: UNLIKE TIM'S SUBMARINE POT,
WHICH CONTAINS STAINLESS STEEL PARTS,
TICKLE, CHICO, AND TYLER ARE USING A 100% COPPER POT.
BESIDES BEING A GREAT CONDUCTOR OF HEAT,
COPPER PROVIDES ANOTHER BENEFIT.
WHEN THE GRAINS AND THE MASH FERMENT,
ONE BYPRODUCT IS A COMPOUND THAT CONTAINS SULFUR,
WHICH SMELLS LIKE ROTTING EGGS.
DURING DISTILLATION,
THESE FOUL TASTING COMPOUNDS BIND WITH THE COPPER
AND STICK TO THE INSIDE SURFACE OF THE STILL
INSTEAD OF FLOWING OUT WITH THE ALCOHOL.
THE MORE COPPER THAT'S IN A STILL,
THE MORE SULFUR THAT CAN BE REMOVED.
THE RESULT IS A CLEANER-, SMOOTHER-TASTING MOONSHINE.
BUT THE GOOD THING ABOUT IT IS, WITHOUT TIM EVEN KNOWING IT,
WE CAN KIND OF BE HIS PERSONAL, LITTLE PRIVATE HA-HA...
THAT'S RIGHT.
...TO THE VIRGINIA ABC.
YEAH, TO THE ABC BOYS.
THIS IS CLIMAX MOONSHINE WHERE IT STARTED,
AND WE'RE GONNA BRING IT BACK.
MM-HMM.
WE'RE GONNA BRING IT BACK
AND BRING IT TO THE STATE WHERE THEY DON'T WANT IT.
EXACTLY.
Narrator: IN SOUTH CAROLINA,
TWO SHINERS ARE WORKING ON A COMEBACK.
Josh: WHEN WE REDISTILL THIS,
HOPEFULLY ALL THE BLUE STUFF WILL BE LEFT OVER
AND THE LIQUOR WILL BE IN A JUG.
GOD, I HOPE THIS RUN TURNS OUT GOOD.
Narrator: AFTER A DISASTROUS SOPHOMORE SEASON,
JOSH AND BILL HAVE RERUN THEIR BLUE SHINE.
Josh: HEY, BILL. IT'S STARTING TO RUN.
AND IT COULD BE THE BREAK THEY NEED.
IT'S CLEAR. IT'S, UH, IT'S PLENTY STRONG.
THEY NOW HAVE 30 GALLONS OF GOOD STRAWBERRY BRANDY.
BUT CELEBRATIONS WILL HAVE TO WAIT.
[ GUNSHOT ]
WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?
MAN, THAT WAS A GUNSHOT IF I HEARD ONE.
SOMEBODY STRAIGHT UP SHOT THE FUEL CELL.
MAN, I CAN'T BELIEVE SOMEBODY TOOK A SHOT AT US.
THE BULLET IN THEIR BOOTLEG TANK
HAS LEFT THEM $6,000 IN THE HOLE,
AND THE BRANDY WILL ONLY PAY FOR PART OF WHAT THEY OWE.
WE GOT A CHUNK OF LEAD
FLOATING AROUND ON THE INSIDE OF THAT THING,
AND WE DEFINITELY CAN'T PUT LIQUOR ON IT.
I GUESS WE GOT TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO.
THIS THING IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS
OF OUR OPERATION.
WITHOUT THIS, WE'RE BACK TO DAMN DRAGGING
QUARTS AND GALLON JUGS AROUND.
THAT'S NO WAY WE WANT TO GO, NEITHER.
SO HERE'S WHAT WE GOT TO DO, THEN.
WE'LL JUST CUT A CORNER OFF OF IT
AND DUMP THE MOONSHINE AND THE BULLET OUT OR WHATEVER.
LIKE, TO CHOP THE CORNER OUT, SET IT UP,
AND THEN WE SHAKE IT OUT TILL WE GET THAT BULLET OUT OF THERE?
AND JUST WELD THE CORNER BACK ON IT.
HELL, I'D JUST AS SOON TAKE A STICK
WITH SOME DAMN BACKSIDE OF SOME DUCT TAPE --
WELL, IT'D HAVE TO BE DRY...
YEAH.
...FOR THE BULLET TO STICK TO THE TAPE.
WELL... OKAY, SURE.
THAT SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN,
BUT WE GOT TO GET THIS THING FIXED
SO WE CAN GET BACK UP IN BUSINESS.
Narrator: IN MISSISSIPPI,
A SWAMP SHINER IS GETTING DESPERATE.
I'M HEADED UP HERE TO A LITTLE RODEO THIS AFTERNOON.
I GO TO THEM PRETTY REGULAR
'CAUSE I KNOW MOST OF THE PEOPLE THAT GO TO THEM
BY TAKING CARE OF THEIR HORSES' TEETH.
BUT I'M NOT REALLY GOING UP TO CHECK A HORSE TONIGHT.
Narrator: MIKE HAS PROMISED
24 GALLONS OF MOONSHINE TO A MAJOR NEW ORLEANS SUPPLIER,
BUT HIS RUN CAME UP SHORT.
Mike: SEEMS TO BE SLOWING DOWN, HUH?
THIS IS NOT WHAT I NEED TO HAVE HAPPENING TODAY.
NEEDING TO COMPLETE THE ORDER,
MIKE'S COME UP WITH A LAST-DITCH PLAN.
Mike: I KNOW DARLENE'S BROTHER BILLY'S
GONNA BE RIDING BULLS UP HERE,
SO IF HE'S THERE, THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE
THAT DARLENE MAY BE THERE TO SEE HIM RIDE.
AND IF SHE IS, I'M GONNA SEE IF I CAN GET SOME FROM HER.
Narrator: THEY MAY BE RIVALS, BUT IF DARLENE HAS SHINE,
SHE'S THE ONLY CHANCE MIKE HAS
TO FULFILL HIS NEW ORLEANS' ORDER.
Mike: EIGHT GALLONS COULD BE THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN LOSING A CUSTOMER OR NOT.
I DON'T KNOW IF SHE WOULD HAVE THAT MUCH.
SHE'S GOT A SMALL STILL,
BUT HOPEFULLY I CAN GET THAT MUCH FROM HER.
Man over P.A. System: COWBOYS, NEED YOU AWAY FROM THE FLAGGER, PLEASE.
Narrator: DARLENE HASN'T HAD
THE KIND OF SUCCESS SHE'D HOPED FOR THIS SEASON.
Darlene: THERE'S NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE COME OUT HERE TO SELL TO.
THAT'S WHAT COUNTS -- BRINGING HOME SOME MONEY.
I'M NOT REALLY HAPPY ABOUT IT. WISH I'D PICKED SOME MONEY UP.
Narrator: TONIGHT IS HER CHANCE TO BREAK EVEN.
DO YOU WANT JUST ONE JAR?
YEAH.
ALL RIGHT.
ALL RIGHT. BE COOL.
WE AIN'T COMING TO GET YOUR *** OUT OF JAIL.
RIGHT.
HOW MUCH?
HEY.
$25 A QUART.
STICK IT UP UNDER YOUR JACKET.
APPRECIATE IT.
[ HORSE SNORTS ]
I'M LOOKING FOR MOONSHINE, AND I NEED EIGHT GALLONS.
Narrator: COMING UP...
[ THUNDER RUMBLES ]
...JEFF AND MARK SQUARE OFF WITH THE SUPERSTORM...
THE GROUND UP HERE IS SATURATED.
WE'RE GONNA TRY TO RUN THIS AS FAST AS WE CAN RUN IT.
...AND WAYNE DROPS A BOMB ON JIM TOM.
SOMEBODY'S BLOWN UP MY CAR.
HM!
Narrator: IN NORTH CAROLINA, ROOKIE MOONSHINER WAYNE
HAS A TARGET ON HIS BACK.
I GOT CHILL BUMPS ON MY ARM
JUST THINKING ABOUT COMING IN HERE RIGHT NOW.
Narrator: HE RECOVERED FROM THE DESTRUCTION OF HIS STILL
BY BECOMING A BOOTLEGGER.
COME ON IN HERE, AND TAKE A LOOK AT THIS.
YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS.
THIS IS CRAZY.
LOOK AT THIS HOLE IN THE GROUND. JUST LOOK AT THAT.
THEY MUST HAVE USED FIVE STICKS OF DYNAMITE TO BL-- LOOK.
THIS WAS A PERFECTLY GOOD CAR.
IT BLEW IT ALL TO SMITHEREENS. THERE'S THE GAS TANK.
THE INTERIOR'S ALL GONE.
YOU CAN BARELY SEE A SEAT.
I ONLY GOT $400 OR $500 IN THE CAR,
BUT THAT'S $400 OR $500 I DON'T HAVE NOW.
Narrator: NO STILL, NO CAR, AND NO OPTIONS.
WAYNE IS DEAD IN THE WATER.
I WAS TRYING TO PUT MY BOY THROUGH COLLEGE.
THIS IS BAD.
I'M JUST REALLY FRUSTRATED AT THIS WHOLE DEAL.
I'M GONNA GO RUN IT BY JIM TOM, SEE WHAT -- SEE WHAT HE THINKS.
HEY, JIM TOM.
MAN...
SOMEBODY'S BLOWN UP MY CAR.
YOUR CAR?
I DON'T KNOW WHO DONE IT.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE DEAL IS.
I'M TIRED OF THIS BULL [BLEEP]
IT'S LIKE EVERYBODY'S AGAINST ME.
I DON'T KNOW WHY --
STEPPING ON SOMEBODY'S TOES OR WHAT'S GOING ON.
CRAZY, MAN.
YOU CAN'T TELL WHAT IT IS.
IT WAS DOING WHAT I NEEDED TO DO.
I DIDN'T THINK ANYBODY KNEW ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
I HADN'T TOLD A SOUL THAT I HAD THIS CAR -- NOBODY.
NOBODY KNEW ABOUT THIS CAR.
I DON'T KNOW HOW THESE PEOPLE --
WELL, SOMEBODY DID. I'VE GOT A RAT.
THERE'S A RAT SOMEPLACE.
I'M JUST TRYING TO DAMN MAKE A LIVING,
AND IT'S LIKE EVERYBODY'S AGAINST ME.
I DON'T KNOW WHY.
I'M DONE, MAN. I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE.
WELL...
I'M -- I'M FINISHED. I'M FINISHED.
WELL, I'M OUT OF HERE, DUDE. I GOT TO GO. I'LL SEE YOU.
HM!
Narrator: ACROSS THE COUNTY, JEFF AND MARK ARE FINALLY
BACK AT THEIR STILL SITE.
Jeff: WELL, IT'S RAINING UP HERE AGAIN.
THE WATER'S BACK.
WE'VE HAD A LOT OF DOWNPOURS HERE IN THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS.
I MEAN, IT'S BEEN TREMENDOUSLY WET.
THE GROUND UP HERE IS SATURATED.
Narrator: INSTEAD OF MAKING MOONSHINE,
THEY'VE SPENT THE LAST WEEK CHASING DOWN WAYNE,
AND MOTHER NATURE DID A LITTLE REARRANGING
WHILE THEY WERE AWAY.
BY NEXT WEEK, THE AREA WILL BE CRAWLING WITH HUNTERS,
SO THEY NEED TO HURRY IF THEY WANT TO BREW ONE LAST RUN.
Jeff: WE NEED LOTS OF LIQUOR BEFORE WE CAN GET BACK ON TRACK.
WE'RE GONNA TRY TO RUN THIS AS FAST AS WE CAN RUN IT.
Narrator: BUT THE WEATHER DOESN'T WANT TO COOPERATE.
[ THUNDER RUMBLES ]
IN SOUTH CAROLINA, JOSH AND BILL ARE CLEANING
AND REPAIRING THEIR BOOTLEG TANK.
Josh: THAT'S IT RIGHT THERE.
WE WELDED UP THE BULLET HOLE, RINSED THE TANK OUT,
WE'RE BACK IN BIZ.
NOW THERE'S ONLY ONE THING TO DO --
MAKE SOME OF THIS MONEY BACK.
Narrator: THEY OWE THEIR MOONSHINE SOURCE SIX GRAND.
WITH 30 GALLONS OF STRAWBERRY BRANDY READY FOR SALE,
THEY COULD MAKE A GOOD CHUNK OF THE MONEY BACK,
BUT EVEN THAT WON'T BE ENOUGH.
Josh: WE OWE THIS MAN THE MONEY.
HE SAID IF WE DON'T BRING HIM THE MONEY,
HE'S LIABLE TO WHIP OUR ***.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?
WELL, I DIDN'T FEEL GOOD GOING INTO IT.
WE DON'T WANT TO BURN A BRIDGE,
AND WE DEFINITELY DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO FIGHT NOBODY.
Narrator: THEY'VE GOT A CUSTOMER FOR THE BRANDY LINED UP --
A RESTAURANT OWNER WHO RUNS A SPEAKEASY.
HE NEEDS THE SHINE FOR A PARTY TONIGHT,
SO THEY'LL BE FORCED TO SELL IN BROAD DAYLIGHT.
Bill: MAKES ME NERVOUS DOING THIS DURING THE DAY.
IT'S RISKY, BUT IT'S LOOKING LIKE
WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO DO IT ANYWAY.
COME ON, BABY.
THE BIGGER THE MONEY YOU GO FOR, THE BIGGER THE RISK.
WE DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANY SURVEILLANCE POINTS.
WE DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY'S GONNA BE WATCHING US.
I MEAN, IT'S GOT BAD NEWS WRITTEN ALL OVER IT.
[ KNOCK ON DOOR ]
NOW, WE STARTED OUT TRYING TO SET
SOME HARD, SOLID RULES ON HOW WE WERE GONNA DO THIS --
WHERE WE'RE MEETING AND WHO WE SELL IT TO.
BUT HERE WE ARE, HAVING TO BEND OUR RULES THAT WE AGREED ON.
BOY, I GOT TO TELL YOU. I HOPE THIS AIN'T NO STING.
Narrator: TO PROHIBITION-ERA BOOTLEGGERS,
UNLOADING A LARGE ORDER TO A SPEAKEASY-STYLE BAR
MAY HAVE SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA,
EXCEPT WHEN THE OPERATION WAS A STING.
DURING PROHIBITION,
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF ILLEGAL BARS
POPPED UP ALL ACROSS THE NATION,
BUT THE U.S. GOVERNMENT ALSO GOT INTO THE GAME
AND OPENED UNDERCOVER BAIT SPEAKEASIES,
ALL FUNDED BY TAXPAYER MONEY.
ONE NOTABLE EXAMPLE WAS THE BRIDGE WHIST CLUB.
OPENED IN NEW YORK CITY IN 1925,
UNDERCOVER AGENTS POSED AS BARTENDERS
AND SERVED DRINKS TO THOUSANDS OF CUSTOMERS.
BUT THE TABLES SOON TURNED
AND THE GOVERNMENT WAS LEFT WITH EGG ON ITS FACE
WHEN OFFICIALS WHO WEREN'T IN ON THE STING
WERE FOUND FREQUENTING THE CLUB.
THE NEWS OF CORRUPTION QUICKLY SPREAD,
AND THE CLUB WAS CLOSED BY 1926.
SURE HOPE THE COPS AIN'T THERE WAITING ON US.
AHA. THERE YOU ARE.
Bill: THERE'S DEFINITELY A CHANCE OF SOMETHING MAJOR GOING WRONG
WITH EVERY RUN OF LIQUOR.
WE DON'T EVER REALLY TAKE THE EASY WAY ON ANYTHING.
TRY NOT TO SPILL IT AS MUCH THIS TIME.
HE WASTES MORE THAN HE GETS IN THE JUG.
MAN, I AIN'T SPILLED MORE THAN THEM --
AN OUNCE AND A HALF.
WE GOT TO GO, MAN.
Bill: LET'S GET OUT OF HERE.
GOT THE -- YEAH, CUTIE PIE'S ALREADY IN THE TRUCK.
SHE'S SMART. SHE KNOWS WHAT'S UP.
Narrator: IN KENTUCKY, TICKLE'S ON THE VERGE
OF BRINGING TIM SMITH'S MOONSHINE BACK TO VIRGINIA.
WE'LL GO AHEAD AND *** THIS PASTE UP HERE.
YEAH, WE GET US A LITTLE PASTE GOING ON.
WE'RE MAKING SOME LIQUOR BISCUITS BACK HERE.
THAT OUGHT TO BE GOOD THERE.
I THINK SO.
WE'LL GET A LITTLE OF THIS ON HERE.
ANY STEAM ESCAPES, THAT'S MONEY.
LOSING GOLD.
THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.
WE MIGHT HAVE RUN UP ON SOMETHING THERE
WITH THEM LIQUOR BISCUITS.
[ LAUGHS ]
Tickle: SHE SHOULDN'T BE MUCH LONGER.
SHE'S MOVING NOW. SHE'S MOVING.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO GO GET SOME JARS.
THIS THING GONNA TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO HEAT UP,
SO WE GOT TIME TO GET JARS.
WE NEED TO KEEP AN EYE OUT AROUND HERE, TOO,
MAKE SURE AIN'T NOBODY COMING AROUND.
YEAH, I HAVEN'T SEEN NOBODY COMING THROUGH HERE LATELY,
BUT YOU DON'T EVER KNOW, MAN.
YEAH, IT COULD BE HUNTERS, ANYTHING COMING OUT,
SCOPING OUT FOR DEER SEASON OR ANYTHING.
Y'ALL WANT TO KEEP AN EYE ON THIS,
AND I'LL BE BACK HERE IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.
SOUNDS GOOD TO ME.
Tyler: I'M NOT TAKING NO CHANCES WITH THIS.
I CAN'T LOSE THIS STILL, SO I'M GONNA GO GRAB MY GUN
AND DO A LITTLE LOOKING AND MAKING SURE
THAT NOBODY'S OUT HERE THAT AIN'T SUPPOSED TO BE.
Narrator: COMING UP...
TYLER MAKES A STAND TO PROTECT THE STILL.
He's heading back towards the still site now.
We got to do something.
Narrator: AND SHERIFF'S DEPUTY CHUCK
FINDS A CLUE THAT COULD BRING DOWN A MOONSHINE DYNASTY.
Narrator: IN KENTUCKY, TYLER IS SCOUTING
THE PERIMETER OF THE STILL SITE FOR ANY UNWELCOME VISITORS...
...WHILE TICKLE AND CHICO AWAIT THE FIRST DROPS OF SHINE.
YOU KNOW, THE THING I LIKE ABOUT THIS
IS BEING OUT HERE IN THE WOODS.
IT'S WHERE I LOVE TO BE.
WE'RE GONNA MAKE TIM'S LIQUOR.
IT'S CARRYING ON TRADITION, BUT IT IS ALSO MAKING MONEY.
Chico: RIGHT.
TOP OF THIS THUMPER'S GETTING WARM.
THIS TEMPERATURE GAUGE IS GOING ON UP.
STARTING TO READ A LITTLE WARMER.
SHE'S STARTING TO GET WARM RIGHT OVER HERE.
I CAN SMELL IT.
[ SNIFFS ] YEAH. YOU CAN SMELL IT.
IT WON'T BE NO TIME NOW.
Tyler: THERE'S A GUY DOWN HERE WALKING AROUND.
I DON'T KNOW IF HE WAS HUNTING OR IF HE WAS LOST,
SO I'M JUST GONNA FOLLOW HIM ON AND SEE WHERE HE COMES OUT AT
AND MAKE SURE HE STAYS FAR AWAY FROM THE STILL SITE,
BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE THAT STILL RIGHT NOW.
YEAH. SHE'S HOT.
SHE'S HOT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO HERE.
CALL US WHAT YOU WANT TO -- HICKS, REDNECKS, WHATEVER.
I DON'T SEE NOBODY ELSE OUT NOWHERE TRYING THIS.
NO. AIN'T NOBODY ELSE DOING IT.
WE A DYING BREED, AND THIS IS A DYING ART.
HE'S LOOKING FOR SOMETHING. HE AIN'T OUT HERE HUNTING.
HE'S LOOKING.
I WISH TYLER'D HURRY UP,
'CAUSE IF HE DON'T GET BACK HERE PRETTY QUICK,
HE'S GONNA MISS THIS.
THERE WE GO.
OH [BLEEP]
I KNEW IT WASN'T GONNA BE LONG.
He's heading back towards the still site now.
We got to do something.
[ GUN CLICKS ]
Narrator: BACK IN GRAHAM COUNTY, A BREAK IN THE HEAVY RAINS
ALLOWS JEFF AND MARK TO GET BACK TO BREWING.
HUNTING SEASON IS JUST DAYS AWAY,
AND THEY'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME.
Jeff: WE FILLED OUR STILL UP.
IT HOLDS ABOUT 500 GALLONS.
IT'LL TAKE US A COUPLE HOURS TO GET IT HOT.
LET'S PUT THE CAP ON HER, MARK.
AND BY THE NIGHT, WE OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO START RUNNING SHINE.
I LAID THEM ROCK OVER WHERE IT GOES ON.
WE'VE NOT GOT A LOT OF SEASON LEFT.
WE'RE TRYING TO GET ALL WE CAN GET RUN
AND GET OUT BEFORE THE END OF THE SEASON.
[ THUNDER RUMBLES ]
MM.
RAIN.
Narrator: BUT BEFORE THEY CAN FINISH,
ANOTHER LINE OF STORMS FORCES THEM TO SUSPEND THEIR RUN AGAIN.
Jeff: I THINK WE NEED TO CALL IT A DAY
AND GET IN OUT OF THIS RAIN.
WE WAS REALLY NEEDING THIS RUN TO GO TONIGHT.
CAN'T DO NOTHING WITH MOTHER NATURE.
[ THUNDER CRACKS ]
[ INDISTINCT SHOUTING ]
Narrator: BACK IN THE SWAMPS, TO COME UP WITH
THE EIGHT GALLONS OF SHINE HE NEEDS,
MIKE IS FORCED TO DO THE UNTHINKABLE --
BUY FROM A RIVAL MISSISSIPPI SHINER.
I'M LOOKING FOR MOONSHINE, AND I NEED EIGHT GALLONS.
EIGHT GALLONS?
WHAT YOU GONNA DO WITH EIGHT GALLONS?
I GOT AN ORDER TO FILL, AND I COME UP SHORT ON THE RUN.
DARLENE'S HAD A ROUGH SEASON
AND HASN'T SOLD NEARLY ENOUGH SHINE.
YOU AIN'T GOT ENOUGH HERE FOR EIGHT GALLONS.
I GET $35 A QUART.
YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO FORK SOME MORE MONEY OVER.
YEAH, BUT YOU AIN'T GONNA HAVE ANOTHER CUSTOMER
WHO WANTS TO BUY EIGHT GALLONS TONIGHT.
I CAN'T. I'M LOSING TOO MUCH MONEY THAT WAY.
I JUST GOT TO HAVE SOME MORE MONEY.
Darlene: HE'S WANTING ME TO GIVE HIM A DEAL ON IT,
LOSING $40 A GALLON, AND I TURNED HIM DOWN.
ALL RIGHT, I'LL LOOK SOME MORE.
Mike: DARLENE'S HERE, SHE'S GOT IT,
BUT SHE JUST WON'T GIVE IT UP, SO I GOT TO KEEP LOOKING.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M GONNA DO.
WHAT?
WHAT YOU DOING?
WHAT YOU COME SLAMMING UP IN HERE LIKE THAT FOR?
WHY DIDN'T YOU SELL THAT TO HIM?
HELL, MAN. HE DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE ME ENOUGH MONEY.
THAT'S WHY.
HOW MUCH IS HE WANTING TO BUY?
MAN, HE WANTS TO BUY EIGHT GALLONS.
YOU CAN GET RID OF ALL OF IT, ONE TIME.
YOU NEED TO SELL THAT.
WELL, YOU GO ON OVER AND TELL THAT MAN,
"COME BACK HERE AND GET THIS."
I CAN'T DO THAT.
I'M LOSING MONEY THAT WAY, MAN.
Narrator: AS MOONSHINE SEASON IN APPALACHIA COMES TO A CLOSE,
THE LAW DOUBLES DOWN.
IT'S THE LAST CHANCE THEY HAVE TO MAKE BUSTS
BEFORE SHINERS PACK IT IN FOR THE WINTER.
A MOONSHINE OPERATION IS BUSTED RIGHT HERE IN THE METRO.
TRACKS IN THE ROAD LED SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES
TO THE HOME, A STOLEN TRUCK,
AND A MAKESHIFT MOONSHINE OPERATION.
WE HAVE SEEN A RESURGENCE OF MOONSHINE MAKING.
Narrator: ANY LAW MAN WILL TELL YOU,
THE ARRESTS COME WHEN MOONSHINERS GET SLOPPY,
LEAVE EVIDENCE BEHIND.
Chuck: HAD AN INFORMANT TELL ME
THAT THERE'S BEEN A VEHICLE THAT'S BEEN BURNT.
WE'RE GONNA GO CHECK IT OUT, SEE IF WE CAN GET
A VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER OFF OF IT --
THE VIN NUMBER.
FROM WHAT THE C.I. TOLD ME,
THERE COULD BE MOONSHINERS INVOLVED IN IT OVER SOMETHING.
I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT'S OVER.
LOOKS LIKE IT'S BEEN BLOWED UP OR SOMETHING BENEATH.
YOU CAN SEE SOME PLACES
WHERE IT'S TWISTED UP BAD AND STUFF.
FINDING THE VIN NUMBER MAY TAKE A LITTLE WHILE, SO...
Narrator: LIKE A FINGERPRINT FOR A CAR,
THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, OR VIN,
IS UNIQUE TO EVERY VEHICLE.
FINDING IT COULD LEAD TO INFORMATION ABOUT ITS OWNER.
THESE PIECES OF IT ALL OVER THE PLACE,
IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S BEEN BLOWED UP FOR SOME REASON.
I DON'T KNOW WHY ANYBODY WOULD DO THAT,
EXCEPT JUST TO GET BACK AT SOMEBODY.
WE'LL CHECK IT OUT, SEE WHAT WE CAN COME UP WITH.
Narrator: COMING UP...
JOSH AND BILL'S INVESTMENT GETS INFESTED...
Bill: IT'S GOT BUGS ALL IN IT, MAN.
WEEVILS -- IT'S FULL OF THEM.
...AND THE KENTUCKY STILL SITE IS BREACHED.
HEY.
YOU HEAR THAT [BLEEP]
Narrator: IN NORTH CAROLINA, THE STORMS HAVE FINALLY PASSED.
AND MARK AND JEFF ARE FINISHING THEIR FINAL RUN OF THE SEASON.
[ WATER TRICKLING ]
GOT ONE READY HERE.
Jeff: UHP. THERE SHE GOES.
IT'S RUNNING.
AFTER HOURS OF FALSE STARTS, THE SHINE IS FLOWING ONCE AGAIN.
BOY, IT'S HOT.
Jeff: GOOD. MAYBE THERE BE LOTS OF IT.
WE NEED ABOUT 100 GALLON.
LITTLE OVER 150.
IF THAT'LL HOLD, IT'LL DO GOOD.
YEP.
IF WE PROOF THIS DOWN TO 90, WE'LL HAVE MORE MONEY.
90 PROOF'S STILL PRETTY GOOD LIQUOR.
YEP.
THAT'LL WORK.
THAT'S GOOD.
LIQUOR COMES OUT OF THE STILL AT AROUND 140 PROOF,
BUT ALL SHINERS LIKE TO ADD WATER,
OR PROOF IT DOWN TO AROUND 90.
IT MAKES THE LIQUOR MORE DRINKABLE
AND GIVES THEM MORE SHINE TO SELL.
250 MILES TO THE NORTHWEST,
TICKLE AND CHICO ARE TRACKING THE RESULTS OF THEIR FIRST RUN.
THAT'S WHAT WE WANT RIGHT THERE.
IT'S STARTING TO GET A LITTLE BIT TO IT NOW.
BUT THEIR PARTNER TYLER
IS TRACKING SOMETHING MUCH MORE DEADLY.
Tyler: I GUESS THIS GUY'S FINALLY GOING OUT OF HERE.
I HOPE THAT STILL SITE'S NOT COMPROMISED
BECAUSE IT'S A GOOD SETUP.
I JUST GOT TO GET THAT STILL OUT OF THERE,
MAKE SURE THAT RUN'S DONE, SHUT THAT THING DOWN,
AND GET IT OUT OF THERE.
CLEAN, CLEAR, THOUGH.
OH, YEAH. SHE'S CLEAR AS A BELL.
[ LEAVES CRUNCHING ]
HEY.
YOU HEAR THAT [BLEEP]
[ LEAVES CRUNCHING ]
Chico: MAN [BLEEP]
YOU SCARED THE HAIR OFF ME, SON.
I WASN'T TRYING TO SCARE Y'ALL, MAN,
BUT NO SOONER THAN I GOT GOING FROM HERE, MAN,
THERE WAS A GUY OVER THERE WALKING,
AND HE LOOKED LIKE HE WAS LOST.
I GUESS HE WAS A HUNTER OR SOMETHING.
BUT I FOLLOWED HIM ALL THE WAY AROUND THE PROPERTY HERE,
DOWN INTO THESE BOTTOMS,
AND I GUESS HE FOUND HIS WAY OUT.
WELL, HE'S GONE FROM HERE, BUT WHAT I'M WORRIED ABOUT
IS WHAT HE SAW WHILE HE WAS DOWN HERE.
SEE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HELL HE WAS EVEN DOING
MESSING AROUND OVER HERE OR WHAT HIS PURPOSE WAS,
BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT HE SAW.
WELL, I DON'T THINK SO.
Tickle: I HOPE NOT.
I MEAN, IF HE DID, HE SURE GOT OUT OF HERE AWFUL QUICK.
BUT WE NEED TO GO ON AND GET THIS [BLEEP] DONE
AND GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE AND GET THIS STILL PACKED UP,
AND WE'LL BRING IT BACK ANOTHER DAY.
THERE WE GO.
Narrator: IN SOUTH CAROLINA, JOSH AND BILL WERE ABLE TO SELL
THE 30 GALLONS OF REDISTILLED BRANDY FOR $140 A GALLON.
Bill: GO ON. FIRE IT UP.
BUT THEY'RE STILL ABOUT $1,000 SHORT
ON THE AMOUNT THEY NEED TO PAY BACK.
Josh: THAT'S ENOUGH WATER, AIN'T IT?
YEAH. THAT SHOULD BE GOOD. SHOULD BE GOOD.
SO THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE ANOTHER BATCH OF SHINE.
Bill: WE GOT SOME ANIMAL-GRADE FEED,
AND WE'RE ACTUALLY COOKING
INSTEAD OF JUST DUMPING HOT WATER ON IT.
SO THE STARCH IS GONNA BREAK DOWN FASTER FOR US,
AND HOPEFULLY IT'S GONNA GET WORKED OFF
A FEW DAYS' FASTER THAN WE EXPECT.
SCRATCH FEED IS A MIXTURE OF CORN AND OTHER WHOLE GRAINS.
ITS HIGH STARCH CONTENT BOOSTS THE SPEED OF FERMENTATION.
I THINK IT'S GONNA SPEED OUR PROCESS UP,
AS FAR AS OUR TURNOVER TIME.
BUT THERE IS A DRAWBACK.
IT'S GOT BUGS ALL IN IT, MAN.
WHAT ARE THEM? WEEVILS?
WEEVILS -- IT'S FULL OF THEM.
YOU *** ME OUT, BUT NOW HERE YOU ARE
COMING IN WITH CHICKEN FEED WITH DAMN BUGS IN IT
STRAIGHT FROM THE FEED STORE.
THIS STUFF HERE, MAN,
WITH AS MANY BUGS AS IT GOT IN IT,
WE JUST GOT AHOLD OF A BAD BATCH OF CORN.
I THINK WE NEED TO DUMP IT.
I MEAN, I --
YOU MEAN, YOU WANT TO DRINK AFTER
A BUNCH OF COOKED-OFF BUGS?
I'M SURE THIS AIN'T THE FIRST BATCH OF MASH
THAT'S EVER BEEN IN THE HISTORY OF MOONSHINE
THAT'S GOT BUGS FLOATING IN THE TOP FROM THE GET-GO.
ARE WE GONNA STRAIN THEM OUT?
IT AIN'T EXACTLY LIKE I'D WANT IT TO BE,
BUT I'M SICK AND TIRED OF STARTING OVER.
I JUST THINK WE NEED TO GO WITH IT.
ALL RIGHT.
IT'S HEATING UP.
YEAH. SHE'S STARTING TO SOFTEN UP.
WE KEEP LEARNING FROM OUR MISTAKES.
I MEAN, I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE BEST WAYS ABOUT --
YOU KNOW, ABOUT SOME OF OUR HAREBRAINED IDEAS,
THAT WE'RE FINDING A BUNCH OF NOT-GOOD IDEAS,
AND WE'RE FINDING A BUNCH OF GOOD IDEAS IN THERE, TOO.
I DEFINITELY THINK
COOKING THIS BATCH DOWN BEFOREHAND'S
GONNA MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE.
WE'RE 3, 3 1/2 DAYS AHEAD OF THE GAME.
SHE'S READY TO ROLL.
WE GOT TO GET THIS THING DONE.
I AIN'T QUITE SURE IT'S THE RIGHT MOVE,
BUT WE GOT TO DO SOMETHING.
WE'RE SO FAR IN THE HOLE FINANCIALLY.
[ GRUNTS ]
START MAKING ALCOHOL.
Narrator: COMING UP...
MARK AND JEFF REACH THE END OF THE ROAD.
WHOA. WHOA. WHOA!
AND SHERIFF'S DEPUTY CHUCK GETS ONE STEP CLOSER
TO THE BIGGEST BUST OF HIS CAREER.
I HAVE ABOUT SEVEN OR EIGHT PAIRS OF OVERALLS,
AND I'M WEARING MY FAVORITE PAIR RIGHT NOW.
WELL, WHEN PEOPLE SEE ME WEARING MY OVERALLS,
THEY PROBABLY JUDGE ME AS A DUMB, COUNTRY HILLBILLY HICK,
BAREFOOTING REDNECK, BURPING, FARTING, DRINKING MY BUDWEISER,
AND LETTING MY GRASS GROW OVER MY CAR.
BUT, REALLY, I'M JUST A GOOD, OLD COUNTRY BOY, YOU KNOW,
THAT MAKES MOONSHINE AND WORKS HARD
AND CUTS TREES FOR A LIVING.
I LOVE MY OVERALLS. THEY'RE COMFORTABLE.
I LIKE THE LOOK.
IF PEOPLE DON'T LIKE IT, THEY CAN GO TO HELL.
[ LAUGHS ]
Narrator: IN MISSISSIPPI, MIKE TRIED TO BUY FROM DARLENE
BUT COULDN'T SEAL THE DEAL.
YOU AIN'T GOT ENOUGH HERE FOR EIGHT GALLONS.
I CAN'T DO IT, MAN.
WITH TIME RUNNING OUT,
HIS ODDS OF LOSING A MAJOR CLIENT ARE ADDING UP.
Mike: THIS IS A REALLY GOOD CUSTOMER I'M DEALING WITH,
AND I DON'T WANT TO LOSE HIM.
I CAME UP HERE TO THE RODEO TONIGHT
LOOKING FOR SOME MOONSHINE.
DARLENE'S GOT IT, BUT SHE JUST WON'T GIVE IT UP.
SO I GOT TO COME UP
WITH EIGHT MORE GALLONS OF MOONSHINE SOMEWHERE.
Narrator: AS THE NIGHT HAS WORN ON,
DARLENE'S SALES HAVE DROPPED OFF.
I'M SELLING A LITTLE BIT, BUT NOT AS GOOD AS IT USED TO BE.
MIKE, HE'S WANTING ME TO GIVE HIM A DEAL ON IT.
I TURNED HIM DOWN.
BUT I HAVE HAD BETTER NIGHTS, AND I HAVE TO SELL SOME SHINE.
HEY.
YEAH.
COME ON. I'LL FIX YOU UP.
YOU SURE?
YEAH.
ALL RIGHT. LET'S GO.
YEAH, I'LL FIX YOU UP
AND GET RID OF THE REST OF THIS WHILE WE'RE HERE.
DO A LARGE QUANTITY AT ONE TIME,
I GUESS YOU CAN CUT THE PRICE, BUT THAT SURE HURTS.
GOT IT IN THIS HERE BUCKET.
ALL RIGHT.
THAT'S FIVE. GOT ANOTHER ONE.
NOBODY WOULD EVER DREAM IT WAS IN THERE.
THREE MORE IN HERE.
THAT'S EIGHT -- WHAT YOU SAID, AIN'T IT?
SOUNDS GOOD. THERE YOU GO, MA'AM.
I SURE APPRECIATE IT.
ALL RIGHT.
YOU FIXED ME UP. I WON'T FORGET THAT.
GOOD. I'LL CATCH YOU NEXT TIME.
I'LL DO THE SAME FOR YOU.
ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU.
BE CAREFUL.
WE JUST GONNA HAVE TO PUT SOME MORE MASH TOGETHER
AND GET TO MAKING SOME MORE.
Mike: GOT IT READY TO GO NOW. HOPEFULLY, IT'S NOT TOO LATE.
Narrator: IN NORTH CAROLINA,
THE LIQUOR IS READY FOR TRANSPORT.
MARK AND JEFF ARE ONE STEP CLOSER
TO CLOSING DOWN THEIR OPERATION
BEFORE OPENING DAY OF HUNTING SEASON.
Jeff: LET'S SEE IF WE CAN GET ALL THIS STUFF OUT OF HERE
AND GET IT LOADED.
Narrator: IN SPITE OF THE SEASON'S BAD BREAKS,
THE GAMBLE ON THE LARGER STILL HAS PAID OFF.
THEIR OPERATION IS WELL IN THE BLACK,
THE SHINE IS GOOD,
AND THEY'RE READY TO MAKE A LAST PAYMENT TO THE LANDOWNER.
WHOA. WHOA. WHOA!
Jeff: I BELIEVE THE ROAD'S GONE, MARK.
ROAD'S GONE.
YEAH, IT LOOKS LIKE IT SLID OFF HERE.
YEAH. I BELIEVE THE ROAD'S GONE.
Narrator: THE OVERNIGHT STORMS
HAVE WASHED OUT A SECTION OF ROAD
THAT LEADS THEM BACK TO CIVILIZATION.
ALL THAT RAIN AND STUFF,
IT'S MADE IT SLIDE OFF, AIN'T IT?
WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO?
I DON'T KNOW.
THERE AIN'T ENOUGH THERE FOR US TO GET AROUND.
WE CAN'T GO ON, THOUGH.
WE'LL JUST HAVE TO HIDE THAT TRAILER AND WALK OUT,
FIGURE OUT SOMETHING ELSE.
IF IT AIN'T ONE THING, IT'S ANOTHER.
YEP.
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COUNTY, SHERIFF'S DEPUTY CHUCK
IS USING THE VEHICLE I.D. NUMBER FROM THE DEMOLISHED CAR
TO PULL INFORMATION ON THE MOST-RECENT SALES RECORDS.
THAT VEHICLE'S A SATURN.
FOUND THE VIN NUMBER HERE ON THE DOORPOST.
WE'LL CHECK IT OUT, SEE WHAT WE CAN COME UP WITH.
TRACKED THAT VEHICLE, GOT AN ADDRESS ON IT HERE.
LOOKS LIKE IT'S JUST RECENTLY BEEN SOLD
THROUGH A DEALERSHIP HERE.
SO WE'LL GO TO THAT DEALERSHIP AND SEE IF HE CAN GIVE ME
A NAME OF WHO HE SOLD IT TO, POSSIBLE ADDRESS ON HIM.
IT'S REALLY HARD TO GET A GOOD CATCH AGAINST A MOONSHINER.
IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME,
BUT WHEN WE DO GET GOOD INFORMATION,
WE FOLLOW UP ON IT, SEE WHAT WE CAN COME UP WITH.
I'M DOING GOOD.
ALL RIGHT. THEN.
ALL RIGHT. YOU HAVE A GOOD ONE.
WE TRACKED THE VEHICLE TO A MAN NAMED WAYNE.
WE GOT AN ADDRESS FOR HIM, SO WE'RE GONNA GO SEE
IF WE CAN HUNT HIM UP AND TALK TO HIM,
AND IF HE'LL TALK TO US, WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO FIND OUT
WHAT'S GOING ON HERE PRETTY QUICK.
Narrator: AN UNLIKELY ROOKIE SHINER...
HEY. HOW YOU DOING?
I NEED SOMEBODY TO BUILD ME A STILL.
...HAS BROUGHT ON THE WRATH OF TWO VETERANS.
[ GUNSHOT ]
Jeff: WHOA [BLEEP]
AND NOW THE LAW IS JUST ONE STEP AWAY
FROM BRINGING DOWN THE WHOLE OPERATION.
HOW YOU DOING? I WAS LOOKING FOR WAYNE.
YEP.
NEXT TIME ON THE SEASON FINALE OF "MOONSHINERS,"
JOSH AND BILL RUN FOR THEIR LIVES...
Bill: WE OWED A MAN FOR THE LIQUOR IN THE TRUCK.
IF THIS BATCH FAILS, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M GONNA DO.
...MIKE'S GOT THE DELTA BLUES...
Man: HEY!
Mike: WHAT IS THIS?
...THE RACE IS ON IN KENTUCKY...
Tickle: SON OF A ***. THEY RUNNING UP ON US.
...AND JEFF AND MARK
ARE UP THE CREEK WITHOUT A PADDLE.
Chuck: THAT'S MOONSHINE RIGHT THERE.